Once labor sets in for a pregnant woman, it is an indication that the end of the pregnancy is near. However, labor itself has various stages with the second stage being the more intensive and painful besides requiring more effort. This is when the baby moves into the birth canal and every instinct urges the woman to keep pushing. At this time it is best to follow the doctor’s or midwife’s instructions on when and how to push. This stage of labor takes at least a couple of hours for first-timers and it may be slightly shorter for women who have given birth previously.

The contractions and the pushing move the baby along the birth canal and soon the baby’s head begins to peep out through the vaginal opening. This is the birth crowning. As this takes place the mother is likely to experience a burning sensation. However, this will pass in a few moments and then the major part of the laboring is over. As the birth crowning occurs the doctor is also able to determine if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck or if there is any other such obstruction.

Remember to ease up on the pushing once the birth crowning occurs for otherwise, you are likely to end up tearing your vagina and this is something you don’t want to do to yourself. Taking a few deep breaths can help you relax your body and stop pushing till the contractions do their job and ease out the baby after birth crowning. Sometimes, the doctor might have to use forceps or some other means of assistance if the baby gets stuck in the birth canal and has to be manually taken out. Then the baby and mother are all cleaned up and allowed to rest after all their hard work.